“Listen to the Cuia”: an amazonian case of integrating ancestral knowledge and biodesign towards a multispecies approach

Abstract

This study investigates how ancestral knowledge can enrich biodesign through the case of Cuia Colab, a project based in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest. Integrating design with traditional craftsmanship, the project works with cuias — vessels made from the fruit of Crescentia cujete — and focuses on a central question: How long does it take for a cuia to ripen? The research utilizes a mixed-method approach, combining literature review with participatory observation conducted with traditional cuia artisans. Fieldwork revealed a mode of production rooted in embodied perception, ecological attentiveness, and shared responsibility — standing in contrast to industrial logics of optimization and replicability. The artisans’ expertise shifted the project’s focus from temporal metrics to sensory and relational approaches, highlighting the value of “listening to the cuia.” The study concludes by moving toward a multispecies design perspective, proposing a biodesign practice that embraces care, perception, and relationality.